Lewis Hamilton uses wood to warm his white living space | Homes & Gardens

Some materials are sophisticated enough to age alongside the house (and its owner) – Hamilton's light wooden beams are the perfect example of this

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

It's not uncommon for designers to discuss the color trends and furnishings that have the ability to transcend trends, but what about materials? Lewis Hamilton's former living space encourages us to think about the type of accents and materials that will look just as good in 100 years – and nothing leads this conversation like wood.

In his space, the F1 champion accentuated the home's wooden architectural features – starting with the exposed wooden beams, floating staircase, and the light wood flooring that flows through the room. The material's natural tones interrupt the primarily monochromatic color scheme, bringing warmth to the cool white paint tones and black furniture.

In a space like Hamilton's, accentuating the wooden tones is easy, considering how prominent these features are around the space. However, as designers explain, it's possible to incorporate wood with simpler methods, including furniture pieces and accessories.

A post shared by Evan Joseph (@evanjosephphoto)

A photo posted by on

'Using wood elements like beams, furniture, and accessories is a great way to infuse warmth and texture into a room. As well as strengthening connections to nature which can boost mood and overall well-being, rooms that incorporate wooden elements often feel inherently cosier because of the natural warmth and grounding effect wood brings,' comments Claire Garner, the director of Claire Garner Design Studio.

According to Garner, light woods, like pine and oak (similar to those seen in Hamilton's space), bring a 'soft, Scandinavian-inspired warmth' – meaning they're perfect for monochromatic schemes like the driver's. Meanwhile, darker woods like mahogany or walnut have a rich, cozier feel.

'Don’t be afraid to mix different wood finishes in the same space; this will create a more eclectic and interesting space,' Garner adds.

Plus, she is not alone in her observations. Katerina Tchevytchalova, the director of the interior design studio K'arte Design, recommends styling a room like Hamilton's –complementing rustic wooden accents with contemporary decorating features.

Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.

'What I love about bringing wood into projects is how it pairs with other natural materials and finishes. For example, using wood against fabrics like linens can create an eco-chic relaxing aesthetic that is perfect for bedrooms,' she says. 'Wood also has a warm effect on an interior because of its ability to beautifully age over time so it grows together with the house and the client,' Tchevytchalova adds.

Alternatively, we love these wooden accessories, perfect for every living room, handpicked below.

Organic

We love the unique style of ecological piece, perfect for practical and artistic use. It'll impress in every space, but looks best in a black and white living room (like Lewis's).

Versatile

These wooden trays look beautiful atop every coffee table, console, or countertop. It's the perfect place to store accessories in any living room.

Won't scratch surfaces

Made from natural Acacia wood and cork, this set of four coasters nests into each other when not in use and would work perfectly for little matching trinket trays.

Beyond the Lewis-inspired living room, she suggests introducing wooden accents into the kitchen in a strategic, surprising way.

'When it comes to kitchens, using wood on the underside of an island adds an element of surprise and “softens” the overall look, especially if there are a lot of high-tech appliances on display,' she says. 'Plus, cabinetry in lighter wood tones adds warmth and functional storage without making the room feel crowded. This can also look more expensive than painted finishes.'

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.

Our choice of the best flowering plants for winter pots to add color to the garden right through to the spring

By Ruth HayesPublished 27 October 24

Pizza oven tables make it much, much easier to make pizza at home. Pro pizza chefs gave me 5 reasons why, as well as all of the drawbacks

By Alex DavidPublished 27 October 24